University of Tennessee Athletics
Seven Questions with the '07 Newcomers ??? Eric Berry
August 06, 2007 | Football
Height: 5-11
Weight: 195
Hometown: Fairburn, Ga.
High School: Creekside
What is your approach to having such high expectations put on you by others?
???My dad has been telling me since I was little that you can???t let anybody put pressure on you. You put pressure on yourself. I figure if I do what I have to do, I???m going to be in a position to live up to those expectations. I try not to dwell on what others expect from me.???
Did your dad (James Berry, 1978-81) convince you to come here?
???He had first-hand experience of Tennessee football and its tradition. It helped me know what I was getting into and adjust quickly once I was here. He only told me what I came and asked him for. He would wear his UT hat just like he has since I was little, but he let me make my own decision. I did use him as a resource to find out more about Tennessee.???
You???re an aspiring dentist. How did that come about?
???I figured out early in my life that I did not want to do heavy labor like my dad has done. I???ve worked with him and seen how it wears him down. I figured I would get involved in something I like early in my life.???
How was your dentistry internship last semester?
???The doctor I worked with was a good influence on me. He showed me how productive you can be in his line of work. I got to help him out with some things, cleaning teeth and x-rays, nothing too heavy.???
You have a 3.75 GPA coming into school. Do you feel like that adds to the pressure on you?
???I think I have the resources here to handle it. I want to keep my grades up. Football doesn???t last forever. My dad got hurt in training camp with the Cowboys and he was home just like that. I need to have a backup plan.???
You were quite the playmaker in high school. What was your best play?
???It was a playoff game. I was on defense and actually got pancaked on a blitz in run support. The ball carrier broke free and I got up off the ground and chased him down before he scored. That was probably the best play I had, even considering all of the spectacular stuff. I kind of amazed myself with my own hustle.???
What is something that very few people know about you?
???That I really don???t pay attention to any of the hype. I just try and get better at what I do.???
By Tony Williams, UT Sports Information
